Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Speed Limits
Setting speed limits has traditionally been the responsibility of states, except for the period of 1973-1994. During that time, the federal government enacted mandatory speed limit ceilings on interstate highways and similar limited access roads through a National Maximum Speed Limit.
Congress repealed the National Maximum Speed Limit in 1995. Since then, 41 states have raised speed limits to 70 mph or higher on some portion of their roadway systems.
In many states, maximum speeds vary depending on vehicle type (car or truck), roadway location (urban or rural), or time of day. GHSA tracks state maximum speed limits for both urban and rural interstates, as well as other limited access roads.
In a few states, speed limits are not set by law.
Aggressive Driving
The term aggressive driving covers a range of unsafe driver behaviors. State laws define what constitutes aggressive driving and stipulate the related fines and penalties. Often, a driver must demonstrate more than one action to be considered aggressive.
To date, 15 states have addressed aggressive driving in their legislatures.
11 states have passed laws specifically defining aggressive driving actions.
- California and Utah have amended existing reckless driving laws to include actions similar to those defined as "aggressive" by other states.
- Pennsylvania has passed a resolution against aggressive driving.
- New Jersey enforces agressive driving under existing laws.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on speed limit or aggressive driving laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office (SHSO).
Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and SHSOs.
Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2024.
75 (80 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
75 (80 on specified segments)
70
70
70
70
70
70
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.)
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.)
60 or 65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
60 or 65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
60
60
60
70
60
60
70
70
70
70
65
65
40
40
55
55
20
20
50
65
65
55
55
50
75; 80 on specified segments
75; 80 on specified segments
65; 70 on specified segments
65; 70 on specified segments
75
75
75; 80 or 85 on specified segments
75
75
75
75
75; 80 or 85 on specified segments
70
70
70
70
65
65
80
80
80
80
70
70
70 (60 on specified segments)
60
60
70
70
70 (60 on specified segments)
65 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
65 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)
70
70
70
70
70
70
65
65 (70 on specified segments)
65
55
55
65
75
75
70
70
70
70
70
65
65
70
70
70
n/a
n/a
45
25
n/a
n/a
75
75
75
75
4-lane: 70 Other: 65
4-lane: 70 Other: 65
70
70
70
70
70
70
65
65
55
55
55
55
75
75
75
75
65
65
65
65
65
55
55
65
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
65 (70 on specified segments)
55 (70 on specified segments)
55 (70 on specified segments)
80
65
65
70
70
80
75
75
70
70
70
70
80
70
65
65
Day: 70 Night: 65
Day: 70 (Light Trucks), 60 (Heavy Trucks) Night: 65 (Light Trucks), 55 (Heavy Trucks)
60
70
70
70
70
60
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
65
65
65
65
60; 55 if speed limit for cars is less than 70 MPH
70 (75 on select segments)
65
70
60; 55 if speed limit for cars is less than 70 MPH
70
65
65
65
65
65
65
70
70
70
55
55
70
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
70
70
70
70
65
65
65
65 (70 on specific segments based on an engineering and traffic investigation)
65 (70 on specific segments based on an engineering and traffic investigation)
65
75
75
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
55
55
60
70
65
55
55
60
70
70
55
55
65
55
70
75, 80 on specified segments
65
70
70
75, 80 on specified segments
60
60
60
60
55
55
Guam does not have any interstates. The maximum speed limits for cars and trucks are: 35 in rural areas; 15 in residential areas; and 15 or 25 in school zones.
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
65 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
65 (Georgia's "Super Speeder Law" adds on $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple lane roads anywhere in the state.)
70
70
70
70
65
65
55
55
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
65
65
55
55
65
65
65
65
55
55
65
65
75
75
65
65
65
65
65
55
70
55
70
55
75
70
65 (60 on specified roads)
65 (60 on specified roads)
75
75
75
75
65
65
65
65
55
55
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
55 (65 on select interstate routes by engineering investigation and case by case, not automatic or default)
70
70
65
65
65
65
'Lawlessness Out There': Speeding Epidemic Sparked by Stay-at-Home Orders
GHSA Urges Adherence to Traffic Rules as States Begin to Reopen
In the wake of anticipated increased highway traffic nationwide as states reopen for business and recreational activities, GHSA is urging motorists to be careful.
GHSA Urges Adherence to Traffic Rules as States Begin to Reopen
Story by Douglas Clark
May 22, 2020
States Focus on Traffic Safety as Memorial Day Approaches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2020
CONTACT: Joe Feese, 202-580-7930, joe@ghsa.org
Under Coronavirus Rules, Traffic Is Way Down, But Speeding Is Way, Way Up
The dramatic drop in traffic during the coronavirus pandemic has caused a dangerous surge in speeding.
Under Coronavirus Rules, Traffic Is Way Down, But Speeding Is Way, Way Up
Story by Linda Robertson
May 12, 2020
The Coronavirus Pandemic Emptied America’s Roadways. Now Speeders Have Taken Over.
Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, the United States faces another crisis: a surge in speeding and reckless behavior on the nation's roadways.
The Coronavirus Pandemic Emptied America's Roadways. Now Speeders Have Taken Over.
Story by Luz Lazo
May 11, 2020
Coronavirus Also Spreading Speeding Bug
Despite what some drivers may believe, COVID-19 germs do not die at high rates of speed. Law enforcement agencies throughout the country have reported an uptick in people going well above the speed limit.
Coronavirus Also Spreading Speeding Bug
Story by Marco Cartolano
May 5, 2020
Road Deaths Decline in 2019, But Challenges Remain in COVID-19 Era
GHSA issues a statement regarding NHTSA's announcement that early estimates of 2019 motor vehicle traffic show reduced fatalities for the third consecutive year.
Road Deaths Decline in 2019, But Challenges Remain in COVID-19 Era
May 5, 2020
Road Deaths Decline in 2019, But Challenges Remain in COVID-19 Era
Open Roads Have Police Cracking Down on Speeding During Pandemic
Police say drivers are taking advantage of empty roads to speed and drive aggressively.
Open Roads Have Police Cracking Down on Speeding During Pandemic
Story by Marcella Robertson
April 27, 2020